Because I get so much shade in my yard from all of the huge walnut trees and so much sun on my patio, I planted 3 tomato plants in this really big pot. I think they are going to do just fine. I've had little luck growing them at the lake because of the watering factor, so I'm really happy that I came up with this idea.

Before dinner we had this Loaded Baked Potato Dip that I found here. Very simply: Mix 16 oz. of sour cream with 8 oz. of cheddar, 12 oz. of cooked bacon crumbled up and a handful of chopped green onion. Delicious for dipping potato chips in!

The big storm front that started in Iowa hit us at about 6:00 Wednesday night, right when everyone was coming for dinner. A lot of dogs don't like storms and Milo is one of them. But then Emily and Mike showed up with Rusty, they didn't want to leave him home alone. Then Kevin and Mary Clare came with who else but Tucker. Talk about a madhouse! All the dogs forgot about their fearfulness and ran around like crazy! Luckily the bad part of the storm swept through just miles south of us and all we had was a tremendous downpour.

So, we're off to the lake in a few hours. I have pots to plant there, too, and I'm really excited...I bought curtains for the French doors that lead out to the balcony off our master bedroom. We've never had curtains there before because the view of the lake is so pretty. These are just white tab top curtains that we can leave open. The room is quite large, I have a comfy chair and floor lamp for curling up to read, and The Husband eventually wants to get a desk for the corner so he can get a little extra office work done when he has the time.

So, I'm off to get a few things done, pack my bags and get on the road. I hope everyone has beautiful weather this weekend. The rain really ended all the humidity we were having and it is just gorgeous! :)

43 comments:

The plants are so pretty! I always say I'm going to have a color scheme & then I get to the nursery & love a million different things. Needless to say my yard & patio are a rainbow! I make a dip just like yours but I put a block of cream cheese in it. Sometimes I leave out the green onions. I have a few people that request it everytime we go to something. Have a great weekend.

Your potted plants all look great Janie!... love those sitting in the ivy... sounds like the doggie party was a hit!... love it when my family all brings their pets here!... they are such a part of the family too... your little quiet area is beautiful... I can just picture you sitting out there with your coffee and a book... so serene... have a nice time at the lake... I am planning a weekend of relaxing with my favorite book out on my deck, some sweet tea and doing nothing else!... Happy Fathers Day to your hubby and all of the daddys in your family... xoxo Julie Marie

Blonde, Your flowers all look nice. I like the little area in ivy. Well yes, dogs can be as rowdy as kids.LOL. Hope you are truly enjoying your summer. I know it isn't officially summer....but since I used to have June, July, and August off from school(back in the stone age)I have always considered that summer. xoxo,Susie

That tea rose is beautiful! I love the colors. I hate when I go to the garden center and they don't have anything I'm looking for too, but I have found a couple of new favorites when I was forced to try something new. LOL! I LOVE baked potato dip!! You're making me want to make some right now. :) Your casserole sounds like something my hubby (and I) would love! Enjoy your time at the lake this weekend! Be thinking of me melting down here in 100 degree heat (with 110 degree heat index) :)

I hope you have a relaxing weekend after all your gardening this week. It sure looks nice! I'm sure the patio is a restful place to be! Enjoy! And glad you were safe in the storm. We had two bad storms here this week and both of our sons' homes were affected but everyone is ok. We sailed through just fine for a change! The weather has been amazing.

I love your rustic garden and the table and chairs sound like such a lovelyplace to spend time outside. That is one of my favorite things about summer, spending time in the sunshine and shade with a cool drink. Have a great time at the lake!

I love your roses, they are gorgeous! I can never grow roses and I swear I do everything by the book. I am always in awe of them. I am also just loving your little rustic patio. It looks like the perfect spot to just chill and relax. I hope you have a great weekend Jane!

Hi Jane,Your garden is looking lovely. I like the spot where you sit to relax and I can hardly wait until our house is ready. I seriously need some space of my own.Your dinner menu looks and sounds so yummy. You are an awesome cook.You always have the best family gatherings.Enjoy your time at the lake house.

Jane! The pots look wonderful! I love the marigolds with the tomato plants, and that cute rustic garden vignette!

How nice was your Wednesday evening...a yummy meal for the kids and a safe haven for the granddogs!I have been praying better weather for the Midwest. You have had some major storm activity over the past month!

Have a wonderful time at the lake!Happy Fathers Day to The Husband!~Lynne withLove!

I'm glad you weren't hit too bad with that storm, Jane. I get so disappointed when I have my heart set on particular plants and there are no more. This used to happen to me with alysum and I had to make sure every year that it was the first flat I bought! Have fun at the lake!

Your tomatoes will do fantastic in the pots as long as they're in the sun. We planted a couple in a big pot the way you did and placed it in a sunny spot on the side of the house...they are doing SO much better than the ones we planted in our usual garden bed in back of the house. They don't get enough sun in the back of the house. Lesson learned! Next year we will do pots o' plants only.

I love how you placed the pots of flowers in the ground ivy - beautiful!

OK, you have to stop with that delicious-sounding casserole and loaded baked potato dip. I think I just gained 5 lbs from looking at that stuff! ;-)

The french doors leading out to a balcony at the lake house sound so pretty. After you get the curtains hung, be sure to take a picture so we can see it. :-)

Your pots all look so nice in the ivy. How nice that you can have all your kids together for dinner whenever you want, Jane. It's a blessing. I miss doing that since mine are all downstate.I hope you are enjoying being at your lake house this weekend.Smooches.xo

Hi Jane,I hope you had a lovely weekend at the lake.Your plants look pretty, and your right, this time of year things are getting pretty picked over.And your cooking is making me very hungry.We had gorgeous weather here yesterday...mid 80's with low humidity and sunny to boot.Have a great week friend,Cindy

The plants all look great..I too, am trying some container gardening this year. Not too many since I am HOPING to move. Your casserole sounds amazing and i will make it next time we have a bunch together.xoxo

Hi Janie! I'm sure you're at the lake by now! Your plants are looking good and sounds like you've had a great time. The casserole looks so good.Thanks for popping in to see me. I had searched so long for a scale. I found some that were really rusty but I didn't want one like that so I hit the jackpot with this one.Be a sweetie,Shelia ;)

JANE

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My blog is dedicated with much love to my late sister, Leslie, who lost her battle with cancer on November 27, 2007. I will always treasure precious memories of her in my heart. I miss her big smile, her laugh, great sense of humor and warmth. She was so creative and always encouraged the same from me. Leslie called me unique and I thank her for that, it made me move forward when I faltered. I think of her very, very often and miss her immensely. I hope I'm making her proud.

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Hi! My husband gave me the name Blondie a long time ago & it has stuck! I am a Midwestern girl but I now live in a quiet & beautiful neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. I adore my husband and four children, two boys, two girls.
I enjoy gardening, reading, cooking, antiquing, decorating and needlework crafts. I love decorating in a cottage sort of style but it's fun to mix it up a little!.
I currently work writing columns for two newspapers. I love creating essays about life in the city and country. And I've enjoyed blogging about the same for 9 years!
We have a year round home in the country on a huge lake in Southwest Michigan where I am always busy renovating, decorating, cooking, entertaining & relaxing! We also have a little place in the mountains of North Carolina. Life is good! I hope you will follow along on my adventures!

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